*smile*

This was the top of cupcakes! They were so delightfully cute and happy!

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"God pours life into death and death into life without a drop being spilled. " ~Author Unknown

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Cook in the kitchen

They say a picture is worth a thousand words...I don't know about y'all, but I see a future chef here!

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I think I have fallen in love....

His name is Solomon and he turns nine weeks old on Monday the 22nd.
I will be moving out to Washington state on the 9th of March to be his nanny for a little over three months.

It looks like I should have ample opportunity to expand my photography a bit while I am out there, and hopefully some of that will appear here!

You will never get tired of seeing that darling face; now will you! <3

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Valentine's Dance

Yesterday Leah, Timothy, Benjamin, and myself went to a Valentines dance put on my some dear friends of ours. It was English Country Dancing which we had done a little of in Texas and some of the foundational steps were the same. It as a bit of a challenge however, thankfully they are going to hold a dance once a month so we can keep getting better. I think the next "Ball" is scheduled for September, so come and get practiced now!



I was asked to be the photographer which was wonderful for me and I had a blast.





The Duff family, who put on the dance, had this beautiful table set up in the front with pictures from the couples in their family history.




My Fellow Photographer!




Several of the guys came dressed in costume from the same era as the girls. Kudos to Mrs.Grady for Aaron's dapper vest!


Mr. Larsen looked quite dashing himself in his outfit; a team effort between Mrs.Larsen and Alatheia!


I risk boring the boys with clothes commentary, but Anna's Dress was exceptional! The sleeves were so intricately sewn to perfection!
I wish I had pictures of all the other girls dresses! Angela made mine and hers was simply stunning!







Ahh the sweet victory of mastering a complicated dance move! ~
You can hardly see the one fellow but these two gentlemen were dressed to the nines! Their waist coats and lace and knickers and everything! Perfect ensembles!


Come on boys... dance... :-)





My escort. I told y'all he was strikingly handsome! I was so proud of both boys and the class and grace they demonstrated! I only danced with Benjamin once as he was being such a gentleman and asking all the other ladies he either did not know or did not know very well, to dance.
Bravo, young man! There are many who could learn from your example!

Thank you so much for asking me to accompany you! I love you! ;-)

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Ponderous thoughts of Snow...

"No snowflake in an avalanche ever feels responsible." -Stanislaw Lec


"A snowflake is one of God's most fragile creations, but look what they can do when they stick together!" - Anon

"Advice is like snow -- the softer it falls, the longer it dwells upon, and the deeper it sinks into the mind." --Samuel Taylor Coleridge

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Black Dress +sisters + sunglasses = (see below)

Love ya!





PS: Dudes: You break a Hipps' Girl's heart... you know what happens... ;-)

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Happy Birthday Daddy!

His faith encourages me,
His unfailing love inspires me,
His wisdom guides me,
His diligence provides for me,
His encouragement drives me,
His honesty assures me,
His patience never ceases to amaze me!
Surely no one else has been so blessed nor so privileged to call such a man Daddy. I love you Daddy! You are the best! God is faithful! Happy birthday!!

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"My First Love"

My First Love

Tessa Kate Rayner



"A long time ago, a prince came to the village where a young peasant girl lived. As she sat out on the cobble stones playing with her wooden toys, the prince rode up beside her and reached out for her hand. As he gazed deeply into her eyes, he glanced over her shoulder to where her father stood, protectively watching over her. Slowly, he came forward and shook the prince’s hand, bowing slightly. Then the prince spoke to the young girl’s father in a compassionate, yet authoritative tone, “Thank you my good and faithful servant. You have raised this child, that the King my father sent to you, in the way that she should go and when she is old she will not turn from it.” As the prince then knelt down before the young girl, he softly spoke, “I love you, dear child. Will you let me be your first love? Will you give me your heart and when you are of age leave all that you know to follow me?” The child studied the handsome prince for a few moments before turning apprehensively towards her father. He gave a nod of his head as tears of joy trickled down his cheeks; this was the moment he had been waiting and praying for. The young girl turned back towards the prince, widened her big brown eyes and replied, “Yes, I would like to give you all of my heart.” The prince then returned to the castle, until the day when the young girl became of age that she would be able to fulfill the purpose that the King had prepared her for. But even as the young girl continued to spend her days in the small village playing with her toys and helping her father, she knew that in the castle her prince was waiting, watching her and that he would come again someday soon. But for the mean time, she felt the warmth of his compassion and never forgot that her heart has been given to him. He was her first love.

~

As winter turned into spring, summer into autumn and the years briskly moved on by, the young girl began to blossom into a beautiful young woman. She spent her days serving people around her and still remembered that day many years ago when the prince had come to call – the day her heart was won. But because it was so many years ago, the young woman had become very familiar and carefree about the prince. She knew deep in her heart that he was still there watching her, but she was growing restless waiting for him to come and take her to fulfill her role in the kingdom. So as she waited day after day, she began to get distracted. One day, as she was talking with her mother a young man from the village approached her. As she gazed into his eyes, she was overwhelmed by the feelings that began to stir deep within her soul for this young man with the captivating pale blue eyes. She was quickly caught in the obsession of trying to please the young man, hoping that one day they would be married. However, she could not seem to get her first love out of her head. As she went about her daily chores, she was torn between what she knew was rightfully hers and what she selfishly desired. As weeks turned into months she battled these emotions, all the while the prince observed – his heart twisting with jealousy and compassion for the young woman. He desired to intervene, however, he knew that the decision that was to be made could only been made by the young woman. As she began to reflect back on her times with the prince and the purpose for her in his father’s kingdom, she began to discover that the village boy could simply not compete with her first love. He would make an amazing friend, however, she had a purpose to fulfill and the prince would be coming one day soon to welcome her as a servant into the king’s kingdom. As she looked over at the village boy she smiled with joy as she declared the promises made so long ago. He nodded with sincere understanding as she bowed down on her knees, lifted her hands to the heavens and said, “Speak Lord. Your servant is listening.” With the power of that wistful prayer the gates of the castle opened and the prince rode down the cobblestone path to welcome the young woman into his father’s kingdom, where she would serve him with all of her heart.



People may ask what happened to the young village man. He too went on to serve the king’s kingdom and he too loved the prince with all of his heart."

Tessa is a member of the Rebelution forum (which is where I found her excellent story). I would encourage you to add her blog to your "Follow" list if you can! God's Gospel Girl

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